The Jumbo Package: 08-24-10

An 'improved' Eddie Lacy making his move at Alabama | al.com

Practice starts back this afternoon so we'll be having a lot more actual info on what's going on pretty soon, but in the meantime we might as well start with everyone's favorite position battle; who's going to be the Roy this year? Eddie Lacy and Demetrius Goode are duking it out right now and when it's all said and done whoever is the most consistent in all phases of the game (running, catching, & pass protection) is the one that's going to be on the field.  Mark Ingram seems impressed with the way Lacy is shaping up:

"Eddie Lacy has improved a lot since last year," Ingram said. "He's doing a lot of great things. Whatever role he plays on the team, I'm sure he's going to do a great job. He's been running the ball well. He's getting better. He's knows his assignments more. He should be able to contribute."

Of course, as was the cruel reality with the actual "Roy", Goode isn't just fighting Lacy for snaps, but his own traitorous body as well:

"He has some ability," Saban said of Goode, "but every time we put him in a position where he's going to have a chance to contribute, he's always had the bad luck of getting nicked up a little bit."

Walk-on Lowery working way into secondary | TideSports.com

Time to face facts, folks, we're going to see a walk on playing in the secondary this season whether we like it or not.  Thankfully, Will Lowery has done enough through spring and fall to at least make us believe he won't be the liability you might expect of a walk on:

"Feisty. He’s a feisty little man," tight end Michael Williams said of Lowery. "Most people who look at him probably think they’ve got an advantage, but I can promise you they don’t. His technique is outstanding, and you have to be technically sound in our defense."

Think Corey Reamer here; nowhere near elite talent, but he knows where to be and when to be there. Saban seems impressed with him, too:

"Will Lowery is a very competitive guy who did a very good job in the spring, taking advantage of the opportunity," Saban said. "He’s been here a couple of years, he understands what’s going on. He’s quick, he’s tough. He’s probably going to help us on special teams and may have some role in the secondary."

As much as the Nicktator stresses being "competitive," Lowery should take that as a high compliment.

and etc.

Alabama's 2010 squad joins 1966 and 1978 Tide teams as preseason No. 1 picks | al.com

al.com breaks down all the SEC teams that have started the season at No.1 in the AP Poll and how they fared.  It ain't pretty.

Auburn's Cameron Newton says all the talk on TV, radio is about 'the other team' | USATODAY.com

Screw talent and depth, Auburn's found the real missing ingredient to their championship hopes: (emphasis mine)

This year, we've got this type swagger about ourselves that we're not scared. We realize we're the underdog, so to speak, and we're not going to back down from anything.